Compactable bicycle

ABSTRACT

In an aspect, a compactable bicycle is provided, comprising a base frame portion and a steering structure. The base frame portion includes a seat tube and a head tube, a connecting tube connecting them and a rear frame portion that has a rear wheel mounted thereto. The steering structure includes a steering member rotatably mounted in the head tube, a handlebar, and a front wheel support having a front wheel connected thereto. The steering member includes first and second portions that are removably connectable together. The head tube includes first and second portions that hold the first and second steering member portions respectively. The second head tube portion is movable relative between a first position in which the first steering member portion is superjacent to the second steering member portion, and a second, stowage position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to (and is acontinuation in part of) U.S. PCT/CA2015/050584, filed on Jun. 23, 2015,which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/016,021 filed Jun. 23, 2014, the contents of which are incorporatedherein in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to bicycles that can be compacted forstorage and more particularly to folding bicycles.

BACKGROUND

There are many designs for folding bicycles. Typically such designs arerelatively weak structurally rendering the bicycle frame at risk ofpremature failure. Additionally such designs are typically inefficientin that they do not fold into a relatively compact shape.

There is consequently a need for a folding bicycle that addresses atleast one of these and/or other shortcomings in existing folding bicycledesigns.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one aspect, a compactable bicycle is provided, which includes aframe, a locking mechanism, and first and second wheels. The frameincludes a first frame portion and a second frame portion. The firstframe portion includes a first tube having an inner surface and thesecond frame portion includes a second tube having an inner surface. Thefirst and second frame portions are arrangeable together in a useposition in which the first and second tubes are aligned with oneanother. The locking mechanism includes a base member, an expandablemember mounted to the base member, and a driver that is movable toreleasably drive expansion of the expandable member against the innersurfaces of the first and second tubes to releasably lock the first andsecond frame portions together in the use position. The first and secondbicycle wheels are mounted to the frame.

In another aspect, a compactable bicycle having a length, a height and awidth, is provided. The bicycle includes a base frame portion and asteering structure. The base frame portion includes a seat tube and ahead tube, and at least one connecting tube that connects the seat tubeand the head tube, and a rear frame portion that has a rear wheelmounted thereto for engagement with a ground surface for supporting thecompactable bicycle thereon. The steering structure includes a steeringtube rotatably mounted in the head tube, a handlebar frame portionconnected to the steering tube, and a front wheel support having a frontwheel connected thereto. The front wheel support has a front wheelsupport connecting end axis and a first end face that extends in a firstend face plane that is generally normal to the first end face axis. Thesteering tube has a steering tube connecting end axis and a second endface that extends in a second end face plane that is generally normal tothe steering tube connecting end axis. The front wheel support ismovable between a use position in which the front wheel supportconnecting end axis is aligned with the steering tube connecting endaxis, in which the first and second end faces abut one another, and inwhich the front wheel is engageable with a ground surface for supportingthe compactable bicycle thereon, and a storage position in which thefront wheel support connecting end axis is unaligned with the steeringtube connecting end axis, in which the first and second end faces arespaced from one another.

In another aspect, a compactable bicycle is provided and includes afirst frame portion and a first pivot connection. The first frameportion defines a longitudinal frame axis, a lateral frame axis and avertical frame axis, a second frame portion, and a third frame portion.Each of the second and third frame portions has a bicycle wheelassociated therewith such that the second frame portion has a rear wheelconnected thereto and the third frame portion has a front wheelconnected thereto. The first pivot connection includes a first outermember that is tubular and has a first outer member axis that extendsgenerally laterally relative to the longitudinal frame axis, and a firstinner member that is pivotably connected to the outer member forpivoting movement within the outer member about the outer member axis,and that is slidable laterally relative to the first outer member. Oneof the first inner and first outer members is connected to the firstframe portion and the other of the first inner and first outer membersis connected to one of the second and third frame portions. Theaforementioned one of the second and third frame portions ispositionable via the first pivot connection in a use position in whichthe wheel associated with said one of the second and third frameportions is orientable to be coplanar with the first frame portion andto be engageable with a ground surface to support the compactablebicycle thereon, and in a folded position in which the wheel associatedwith said one of the second and third frame portions is laterallyadjacent to the first frame portion.

In another aspect, a compactable bicycle is provided and includes a mainframe portion and an axle. The main frame portion includes a seat tubeand a head tube, and at least one connecting tube that connects the seattube and the head tube. The rear frame portion is movably mounted to themain frame portion and has a rear wheel mounted thereto. The rear frameportion is movable between a use position in which the rear wheel isengageable with a ground surface to support the compactable bicyclethereon, and a folded position. The axle is supported on the rear frameportion, and at least one folded position support wheel supported on theaxle. When the rear frame portion is in the use position, the at leastone folded position support wheel is supported off the ground surface,and when the rear frame portion is in the folded position, the at leastone folded position support wheel is engageable with the ground surfaceto support the compactable bicycle thereon. In an embodiment, a hookmember is provided on the main frame portion and is pivotable between anengagement position in which the hook member is positioned to engage theaxle to retain the rear frame portion in the use position, and a releaseposition in which the hook member is positioned to permit movement ofthe rear frame portion away from the use position. Optionally, a hookmember biasing member is provided and is positioned to urge the hookmember towards the engagement position.

In another aspect, a compactable bicycle is provided and includes a baseframe portion and a steering structure. The base frame portion includesa seat tube and a head tube, at least one connecting tube that connectsthe seat tube and the head tube, and a rear frame portion that has arear wheel mounted thereto for engagement with a ground surface forsupporting the compactable bicycle thereon. The steering structureincludes a steering member rotatably mounted in the head tube, ahandlebar, and a front wheel support having a front wheel connectedthereto for engagement with the ground surface for supporting thecompactable bicycle thereon. The steering member includes a firststeering member portion and a second steering member portion that areremovably connectable together. The first steering member portion hasthe handlebar connected thereto and the second steering member portionhas the front wheel support connected thereto. The head tube includes afirst head tube portion that holds the first steering member portion,and a second head tube portion that holds the second steering memberportion. The second head tube portion is movable relative to the firsthead tube portion between a first head tube position in which the secondhead tube portion carries the first steering member portion to a useposition which is superjacent to the second steering member portion, anda second head tube position in which the second head tube portion is ina stowage position and holds the second steering member portion in astowage position spaced away from the first steering member portion.When the first steering member portion is in the use position the firststeering member portion is connectable to the second steering memberportion.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1a is an elevation view of a compactable (e.g. folding) bicycle inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, in a useposition;

FIG. 1b is a top plan view of the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 1a , inthe use position;

FIG. 1c is an elevation view of the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 1a ina partially folded position;

FIG. 1d is an elevation view of the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 1a ina further folded position;

FIG. 1e is a perspective view of the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 1a ina further folded position;

FIGS. 1f and 1g are an elevation view and a perspective viewrespectively of the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 1a in a fully foldedposition;

FIG. 1h is an elevation view of the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 1a ina partially unfolded position;

FIG. 1i is an elevation view of the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 1a ina further unfolded position;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are perspective views of a portion of the foldingbicycle shown in FIG. 1a , illustrating the folding of a rear frameportion of the folding bicycle;

FIG. 2c is a magnified elevation view of a pivot connection shown inFIGS. 2a and 2 b;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are perspective views of the portion of the foldingbicycle shown in FIG. 1a , illustrating the folding of the rear frameportion using an alternative pivot connection;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are perspective views of the portion of the foldingbicycle shown in FIG. 1a , illustrating the folding of the rear frameportion using another alternative pivot connection;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views that illustration the operation of alocking mechanism for the rear frame portion of the folding bicycleshown in FIG. 1 a;

FIGS. 7a and 7b are a top plan view and a perspective view respectivelyof a variant of the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 1a , which includes arear frame portion that supports a rear wheel from one side only;

FIG. 7c is a top plan view of the variant of the folding bicycle shownin FIGS. 7a and 7b , in the folded position;

FIG. 8a is an elevation view of a locking mechanism that can be used tohold two frame portions together on the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 1a;

FIGS. 8b and 8c are sectional elevation views of the locking mechanismshown in FIG. 8a , in a locking position and a release positionrespectively;

FIG. 9a is a side elevation view, partially in section, of a portion ofthe folding bicycle shown in FIG. 1a , showing the locking mechanism ofFIG. 8a in a frame portion that is in a folded position;

FIG. 9b is a perspective view of the portion of the folding bicycleshown in FIG. 9a showing the locking mechanism of FIG. 8a in the frameportion when in a use position;

FIGS. 10a and 10b are sectional elevation views of a variant of thelocking mechanism shown in FIG. 8a , in a locking position and a releaseposition respectively;

FIGS. 11a and 11b are sectional elevation views of another variant ofthe locking mechanism shown in FIG. 8a , in a locking position and arelease position respectively;

FIGS. 12a and 12b are sectional elevation views of the variant of thelocking mechanism shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b , in a locking position anda release position respectively, showing optional projections andrecesses that assist in holding the locking mechanism in position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the folding bicycle shownin FIG. 1a showing a handlebar portion of the frame in a foldedposition, sectioned to shown the locking mechanism shown in FIG. 8atherein;

FIGS. 14a and 14b are perspective views that show an alternative lockingmechanism to that shown in FIG. 8a , unmounted and mounted to the frameof the folding bicycle;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 1a ina partially folded position, illustrating an alternative front wheelsupport that is square;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism that is square thatis for use with the front wheel support on the folding bicycle shown inFIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of the folding bicycle shownin FIG. 1a , showing a holding member that is used to hold the rearframe portion of the folding bicycle in a folded position;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the portion of the folding bicycleshown in FIG. 17, showing the holding member holding the rear frameportion of the folding bicycle in the folded position;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of the compactable bicycleshown in FIG. 1, with a removable front wheel support, in a useposition;

FIG. 20 is a plan view from underneath showing the mounting of the frontwheel support shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a portion of the bicycle shown in FIG.19 showing a pair of cam-lock members;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the compactable bicycle shown in FIG.19, with the front wheel support removed from the rest of the frame;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the compactable bicycle shown in FIG.19, with the front wheel support in a storage position;

FIG. 24 is a sectional plan view of the bicycle in a storage position,showing an optional pin used to hold the front and rear wheels in axialalignment with one another;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a portion of an alternative embodimentof a folding bicycle, with a head tube that is divided into first andsecond portions, in a use position;

FIG. 26 is a sectional perspective view of the folding bicycle shown inFIG. 25, with the head tube in the use position;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 25,with the head tube in between the use position and a stowage position;

FIG. 28 is a section perspective view of the folding bicycle shown inFIG. 25, with the head tube in between the use position and the stowageposition;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the folding bicycle shown in FIG. 25,with the head tube in the stowage position;

FIG. 30 is a section perspective view of the folding bicycle shown inFIG. 25, with the head tube in the stowage position; and

FIG. 31 is a magnified perspective view of a region of the foldingbicycle so as to show a rotational coupling mechanism used torotationally couple first and second steering member portions together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is made to FIGS. 1a and 1b , which show a compactable bicycle10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thefolding bicycle 10 is movable between a use position shown in FIGS. 1aand 1b , and a storage position (which in the example shown may also bereferred to as a folded position) shown in FIGS. 1f and 1g . The bicycle10 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b is compactable by afolding mechanism for selected components of the bicycle 10. However, itwill be noted that, in some other embodiments, the bicycle 10 may becompactable by way of other types of mechanism aside from foldingmechanisms, an example of which is described below in relation to FIGS.19-23. For convenience, the bicycle 10 is referred to in someembodiments as a folding bicycle (in embodiments in which a foldingmechanism is shown), however, it will be understood that the bicycle 10may be more broadly referred to as compactable, and the foldingmechanisms shown in the figures included herewith may be replaced insome embodiments by any other suitable types of mechanism for compactingthe bicycle for the purposes of storage.

The folding bicycle 10 includes a frame 12, a rear wheel 14, a frontwheel 16, a seat 18, and a drive component set generally shown at 20.The drive component set 20 includes components such as a crankset withat least one crankset sprocket, at least one rear wheel sprocket on therear wheel 14, a chain connecting the crankset sprocket and rear wheelsprocket, and pedals that connect to the crankset. The drive componentset 20 is envisioned to be included in the folding bicycle 10 typically,however it is possible to provide a version of the folding bicycle 10that does not have a drive component set (e.g. a running bicycle).

The frame 12 comprises a main frame portion 12 a, a rear frame portion12 b, a front wheel support 12 c and a handlebar frame portion 12 d thatincludes a handlebar support 11 to which a handlebar 13 is mounted.These frame portions 12 a-12 d may also be referred to as first, second,third and fourth frame portions 12 a, 12 b, 12 c and 12 d. For greatercertainty, it will be understood, that any one of these frame portions12 a-12 d may be considered the ‘first’ frame portion, any one may beconsidered the second, any one may be considered the third and any onemay be considered the fourth. Different frame portions may be consideredfirst, second, third or fourth in different contexts herein. Anylimitations in this regard will be described below.

The main frame portion 12 a may include a seat tube 22, a head tube 24,at least one connecting tube 26 and a steering tube 28. In the exampleshown there are two connecting tubes (a top tube 26 a and a down tube 26b) that connect the seat tube 22 and the head tube 24, however any othersuitable number of connecting tubes 26 may be provided. The connectingtubes 26 in the example shown permanently connect the seat tube 22 andhead tube 24 (e.g. by welded connections to both or by a forming processwhere all of the tubes 22, 24 and 26 are formed together all at once). Apermanent connection is preferred as it provides a main frame portionthat is relatively strong, in particular where a main triangle is formedthat extends all the way from the head tube 24 to the seat tube 22 as isshown in the figures. However, it is possible to provide a main frameportion that includes a main triangle that does not extend all the waybetween the seat tube 22 and the head tube 24 (e.g. where there is adown tube that extends from the seat tube 22 to a point midway along thelength of the top tube), or that does not include a main triangle at all(e.g. where there is only a top tube that connects the seat tube 22 andhead tube 24). Additionally, it is possible in some embodiments(although less preferable in some instances) to provide a main frameportion that is itself divided into two or more portions that areconnected together via hinges or the like. The main frame portion 12 ahas a first side 25 and a second side 27, which are described furtherbelow with reference to the folding of the folding bicycle 10.

The steering tube 28 is pivotably mounted in the head tube 24. Thesteering tube 28 has both the front wheel support 12 c and the handlebarframe portion 12 d connected to it. Together the steering tube 28, thefront wheel support 12 c and the handlebar frame portion 12 d make up asteering structure, while the head tube 24, the seat tube 22, theconnecting tubes 26 and the rear frame portion 12 b make up a base frameportion to which the steering structure is pivotally mounted.

The rear frame portion 12 b has the rear wheel 14 connected thereto, andis movably connected to the main frame portion by a pivot connection 29,and is movable via the pivot connection 29 between a use position shownin FIG. 1a , and a folded position shown in FIGS. 1c and 1d . When therear frame portion 12 b is in the use position, the rear wheel 14 isengageable with a ground surface (shown at 30 in FIG. 1a ) forsupporting the folding bicycle 10 thereon. When the rear frame portion12 b is in the folded position, at least one of the length (shown at L)and the height (shown at H) is reduced relative to when rear frameportion 12 b is in the use position.

The pivot connection 29 is shown more clearly in FIGS. 2a-2c and may bereferred to as a first pivot connection 29, since there is another pivotconnection shown at 32 that connects the front wheel support 12 c to themain frame portion 12 a. As can be seen, the first pivot connection 29includes a first outer member 34 that is tubular and has a first outermember axis AP that extends generally laterally relative to thelongitudinal bicycle frame axis, shown at AB. The pivot connection 29further includes a first inner member 36 that is pivotably connected tothe outer member 34 for pivoting movement within the outer member 34about the outer member axis AP, and that is slidable laterally relativeto the outer member 34. One of the first outer and first inner members34 and 36 is connected to the main frame portion 12 a and the other ofthe first inner and first outer members 34 and 36 is connected to therear frame portion 12 b. In the embodiment shown, the outer member 34 isconnected to the frame member 12 a and the inner member 36 is connectedto the rear frame portion 12 b.

Referring to FIG. 2c , the outer member 34 (and optionally the innermember 36) are tubular, and accordingly, the outer member 34 has aninner surface 38 that is generally cylindrical and the inner member 36has an outer surface 40 that is generally cylindrical, therebypermitting the pivotal movement of the inner member 36 relative to theouter member 34. Additionally, a projection 42 is provided on one of theouter and inner members 34 and 36, which is engaged in a helical slot 44in the other of the first outer and first inner members 34 and 36. Theprojection 42 cooperates with the slot 44 to drive translationalmovement of the inner member 36 relative to the outer member 34 duringpivotal movement of the inner member 36 in the outer member 34.

The second frame portion 12 b is positionable via the first pivotconnection 29 in a use position (FIG. 2a ) in which the wheel associatedwith the second frame portion 12 b (i.e. the rear wheel 14) isorientable to be coplanar with the main frame portion 12 a and to beengageable with the ground surface 30 to support the folding bicycle 10thereon, and in a folded position (FIG. 2b ) in which the rear wheel 14is laterally adjacent to the main frame portion 12 a. Movement from theuse position to the folded position is in the clockwise direction shownby arrow 39 (FIG. 2a ).

While the projection 42 is shown on the outer member 34 and the slot 44is shown on the inner member 36 it is possible to provide the slot 44 onthe outer member 34 and the projection 42 on the inner member 36.Additionally, while the slot 44 may be helical, it could alternativelyhave other shapes to accelerate and decelerate (i.e. to control) theamount of lateral movement that takes place during particular portionsof the pivotal movement between the use position and the foldedposition. Thus, the slot 44, in a broader sense, would be suitable tocooperate with the projection 42 as long as the slot 44 extendslaterally by a selected amount and circumferentially by a selectedamount about the outer member axis AP.

Preferably, to reduce friction between the inner and outer members 36and 34, a pair of suitable bushings 46 can be produced between them. Thebushings 46 may be made from any suitable material, such as a polymericmaterial. A suitable bushing may be provided by igus inc, Rhode Island,United States. Alternatively or additionally, a suitable lubricant (e.g.grease) may be provided between the inner and outer members 36 and 34 toreduce friction, if needed.

By positioning the rear wheel 14 adjacent to the main frame portion 12a, the length L of the folding bicycle can be reduced without thenecessity of providing a pocket of room for the folded rear frameportion 12 b and wheel 14 within the bottom of the main frame portion 12a itself, as is the case with some other folding bicycle designs. Thisis advantageous in that it renders it less obvious that the bicycle 10is a folding bicycle. Furthermore, it renders the main frame portion 12a and the overall bicycle 10 stronger as there are fewer restrictions onthe design of the main frame portion 12 a that would otherwisecompromise the strength of the main frame portion 12 a.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b , the projection42 and the slot 44 may be replaced by an inner member threaded portion50 on the outer surface 40 of the inner member 36, that mates with anouter member threaded portion 52 (shown in dashed lines) on the innersurface 38 of the outer member 34. The threads cooperate to drive theinner member 36 laterally as it pivots relative to the outer member 34.The rear frame member 12 b is shown in the use position in FIG. 3a andin the folded position in FIG. 3 b.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the outer surface 40 of the innermember 36 and the inner surface 38 of the outer member 34 may be free ofprojections and grooves and the like, so that the inner member 36 isfree to move laterally and circumferentially independently of eachother, between the use position, shown in FIG. 4a and the foldedposition shown in FIG. 4b . It will be noted that, in the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 2a-2c and 3a and 3b , the rear frame portion 12 b may beconstrained by the interaction between the projection 42 and 44 (FIGS.2a-2c ) or between the threaded portions 50 and 52 (FIGS. 3a and 3b ) tomove along a path that brings it alongside the main frame portion 12 awhen it has fully pivoted to the folded position. By contrast, in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b , the movement of the rear frameportion 12 b is unconstrained and so care will need to be taken toensure that it is moved over laterally sufficiently to ensure that itdoes not collide with the main frame portion during pivoting movementtowards the folded position.

In order to transport the folding bicycle 10 when it is in the foldedposition, the rear frame portion 12 b has an axle 53 supported thereon,and at least one folded position support wheel 54 supported on the axle53, as shown in FIG. 5. In the embodiment shown, there are two supportwheels 54 that are supported on the axle 53. When the rear frame portion12 b is in the use position (FIG. 1a ), the folded position supportwheels 54 are supported off the ground surface 30. When the rear frameportion 12 b is in the folded position (FIG. 1d ), the folded positionsupport wheels 54 are engageable with the ground surface 30 to supportthe folding bicycle thereon. In this way, a user of the bicycle 10 canroll the bicycle 10 on the ground surface 30 on the folded positionsupport wheels 54, even though the rolling ability of the front and rearbicycle wheels 14 and 16 may be compromised due, for example, tofriction between the wheels 14 and 16 and the main frame portion 12 a.

As shown in FIG. 5, to lock the rear frame portion 12 b to the mainframe portion 12 a in the use position, a locking mechanism shown at 56is provided. The locking mechanism 56 includes a hook member 58 that ispivotally connected to the main frame portion 12 a, for movement betweenan engagement position (shown in FIG. 5), in which the hook member 58 ispositioned to engage the axle 53 to retain the rear frame portion 12 bin the use position, and a release position (shown in FIG. 6) in whichthe hook member 58 is positioned to permit movement of the rear frameportion 12 b away from the use position.

A biasing member 60 urges the hook member 58 towards the engagementposition, so that in the event of a force (e.g. the bicycle 10 hitting abump) that might urge the hook member 58 upwards off the axle 53, thebiasing member 60 can hold the hook member 58 down in engagement withthe axle 53.

Referring to FIG. 9b , the second pivot connection shown at 32, which isprovided between the front wheel support 12 c and the main frame portion12 a. The second pivot connection 32 may be similar to the first pivotconnection 29 and includes an outer member 64 and an inner member 66,which may be similar to the outer and inner members 34 and 36respectively. In the embodiment shown, the outer member 64 has aprojection 68 thereon and is mounted on the main frame portion 12 a. Theinner member 66 has a slot 70 that receives the projection 68 thatextends both laterally and circumferentially by selected amounts so thatthe front wheel support is movable between a use position (FIG. 1a ) inwhich the front wheel 16 is engageable with the ground surface 30 tosupport the folding bicycle 10 thereon, and a folded position (FIG. 1c), which reduces at least one of the length L and the height H of thefolding bicycle 10. In the folded position, the front wheel 16 may beadjacent to the main frame portion 12 a. In the use position the frontwheel 16 is orientable to be coplanar with the main frame portion 12 a.More particularly, the front wheel 16 is connected to the front wheelsupport 12 c, which, due to its connection to the steering tube 28,permits the front wheel 16 to be steered in a range of desiredorientations. When the front wheel support 12 c is in the foldedposition, the front wheel 16 is adjacent the main frame portion 12 a,but when the front wheel support 12 c is in the use position, the frontwheel 16 may be oriented to be straight at which point it will becoplanar with the main frame portion 12 a.

As shown in FIG. 1b , the front wheel support 12 c may be a singlesupport arm 77 that extends to and supports the front wheel axle (shownat 72) only on one side of the front wheel 16. When the front wheelsupport 12 c is in the folded position, the front wheel 16 is positionedlaterally between the front wheel support 12 c and the main frameportion 12 a. This permits the wheel 16 to be positioned closer to themain frame portion 12 a when in the folded position (as shown in FIG. 7c), so as to reduce the width W of the folding bicycle 10 when folded, ascompared to an embodiment in which a more traditional double-sided forkis used to support the wheel 16. As shown in FIG. 7c , the wheel 16 canbe positioned immediately adjacent the main frame portion 12 a whenforming the front wheel support 12 c as a single support arm.

The rear frame portion 12 b is shown in FIG. 1b as having two supportarms 74 that extend on either side of the rear wheel 14 to support theaxle of the rear wheel (shown at 76). It is alternatively possible forthe rear frame portion 12 b to have a single support arm, as shown at 78in FIGS. 7a and 7b . When the rear frame portion 12 b is in the foldedposition, the rear wheel 14 is positioned laterally between the supportarm 78 and the main frame portion 12 a. This can permit the wheel 14 tobe positioned closer to the main frame portion 12 a when in the foldedposition (as shown in FIG. 7c ), so as to reduce the width W of thefolding bicycle 10 when folded, as compared to an embodiment in whichtwo support arms 74 are used to support the wheel 14. As shown in FIG.7c , the wheel 14 can be positioned immediately adjacent the main frameportion 12 a when using a single support arm 78.

In an advantageous embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b , the frontwheel support 12 c has a front wheel support connecting end axis A12 c,and a first end face 71 that extends in a first end face plane P12 cthat is generally normal to the first end face axis A12 c. The steeringtube 28 has a steering tube connecting end axis A28 and a second endface 73 that extends in a second end face plane P28 that is generallynormal to the steering tube connecting end axis A28. The front wheelsupport 12 c is pivotable between a use position (FIG. 9b ) in which thefront wheel support connecting end axis A12 c is aligned with thesteering tube connecting end axis A28, in which the first and second endfaces 71 and 73 abut one another, and in which the front wheel 16 isengageable with a ground surface for supporting the folding bicycle 10thereon, and a folded position (FIG. 9a ) in which the front wheelsupport connecting end axis A12 c is unaligned with the steering tubeconnecting end axis A28, and in which the first and second end faces 71and 73 are spaced from one another. Such a structure is particularlysuited to supporting the weight of a rider on the folding bicycle 10,while being space efficient.

The front wheel support 12 c may be lockable in the use position by anysuitable locking mechanism. An example of a locking mechanism is shownat 80 in FIGS. 8a and 8b . The locking mechanism 80 includes a basemember 82, an expandable member 84, a driver 86, a driver biasing member88 and a quick release mechanism 90. The driver 86 is used to driveexpansion of the expandable member 84 against the inner surfaces (shownat 92 and 94 in FIG. 8c ) of first and second tubes (shown at 96 and 98in FIGS. 8c, 9a and 9b ) that are part of the main frame portion 12 aand the front wheel support 12 c respectively, so as to releasably lockthe main frame portion 12 a and the front wheel support 12 c together.

The base member 82 defines a base member axis AL. The expandable member84 may be expandable by any suitable means. The expandable member 84may, for example, have a first end 100 and a second end 102, and mayhave a plurality of pass-through slots 104, that alternately start fromeach end 100 and 102 and extend most of the way to, but not all the wayto, the opposing end 100 and 102. The expandable member 84 has an innersurface 106 that is a first wedge surface (FIG. 8b ).

The driver 86 includes a foot member 108, a connecting rod 110 and awedge member 112 which has a second wedge surface 114 thereon. Thedriver 86 is movable in a first direction (shown by arrow 116 in FIG. 8b) relative to the base member 82 to drive the first and second wedgesurfaces 106 and 114 into each other to drive expansion of theexpandable member 84. The driver 86 is movable in a second direction(shown by arrow 118 in FIG. 8b ) relative to the base member 82 to drivethe first and second wedge surfaces 106 and 114 away each other topermit contraction of the expandable member 84.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second wedge surfaces 106 and114 extend away from the axis AL in two cross-sectional planes (shown atP1 and P2 in FIG. 8b ) that both include the axis AL and that areorthogonal to one another. It will be noted that plane P2 is directlycoincidental with the axis AL in FIG. 8b and so it appears as a solidline superimposed on the axis AL. In the example embodiment shown inFIGS. 8a and 8b , the wedge surfaces 106 and 114 are generally conical.Alternatively, any other shape may be possible, such as, for example,pyramidal.

In the embodiment shown, the driver 86 is moved relative to the basemember 84 by a driver biasing member 118 that is positioned between thefoot member 108 and the second end 102 of the expandable member 84. Thedriver biasing member 118 urges the foot member 108 and the expandablemember 84 apart, which drives the wedge surfaces 106 and 114 into eachother.

The quick release mechanism 90 includes a transfer arm 120 and a handle122. The handle 122 is pivotally connected to the base member 82 via apin connection 124 that defines a handle pivot axis. The transfer arm120 is pivotally connected at one end 128 to the driver 86 via a pinconnection 130, and at another end 132 to the handle 122 via another pinconnection 134 which defines a handle connection axis that is offsetfrom the handle pivot axis.

The handle 122 is pivotable between an unlocking position, shown inFIGS. 8a and 8b and a locking position shown in FIG. 8c . In theunlocking position the transfer arm 120 is oriented to transfer forcefrom the driver biasing member 88 to the handle 122 to urge the handle122 to remain in the unlocking position. Additionally, in the unlockingposition, the transfer arm 120 limits the position of the driver 86relative to the expandable member 84 so as to prevent the driver 86 fromcausing expansion of the expandable member 84.

In the locking position the driver biasing member drives first andsecond wedge surfaces 106 and 114 into one another to drive theexpansion of the expandable member 84.

While the second wedge surface 114 has been shown to be on the driver86, it is alternatively possible for the second wedge surface 116 to beon the base member 82, and for a driver to drive the wedge surface 106on the expandable member 84 into engagement with the wedge surface 114on the base member 82.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b , the lockingmechanism is shown at 135, and is similar to the locking mechanism 80,but has two first wedge surfaces, one of which is shown at 136 a andanother of which is shown at 136 b. The two wedge surfaces 136 a and 136b are provided on the expandable member shown at 137. The wedge surface136 a faces in a first axial direction (where ‘axial’ refers to the axisAL). In the view shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b , the first axial directionis towards the left). The wedge surface 136 b faces in a second axialdirection (i.e. towards the right in the view shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b). Furthermore, there are two second wedge surfaces, a first one ofwhich is shown at 138 a and is on the driver shown at 140 and a secondone of which is shown at 138 b and is provided on the base member shownat 142. More particularly the wedge surface 138 b is on an extensionmember 142 a that is connected to a main portion 142 b of the basemember 142. The second wedge surfaces 138 a and 138 b are complementaryto the first wedge surfaces 136 a and 136 b. The driver 140 includes aconnecting arm 146 that has a first end 148 that pivotally connects tothe transfer arm 120, and a second end that fixedly connects to a wedgemember 150 on which the wedge surface 138 a is positioned. A driverbiasing member 152 is provided, which is, in the example shownpositioned between the wedge member 150 and the extension member 142 a(or, more broadly, between the driver 140 and the base 142), urging thewedge member 150 and the extension member 142 a away from each other,which is in a direction that drives them towards engagement with thefirst wedge surfaces 136 a and 136 b.

When the handle 122 of the quick release mechanism 90 is positioned in alocking position, which is shown in FIG. 10a , the biasing member 152drives the two second wedge surfaces 138 a and 138 b apart, which drivesthem into engagement with the first wedge surfaces 136 a and 136 b,which causes expansion of the expandable member 137. It will be notedthat the symmetry of the first and second, first wedge surfaces 136 aand 136 b and the corresponding symmetry of the first and second, secondwedge surfaces 138 a and 138 b makes it more likely to provide generallyequal amounts of expansion at both ends of the expandable member 137.This makes it more likely that the forces with which the expandablemember 137 engages the first tube 96 (FIG. 10a ) and second tube 98 areapproximately equal.

When the handle 122 of the quick release mechanism 90 is in theunlocking position shown in FIG. 10b , (which would involve a clockwiserotation of the handle 122 from the position shown in FIG. 10a ), thetransfer arm 120 is oriented to transfer force from the driver biasingmember 152 to the handle 122 to urge the handle 122 to remain in theunlocking position. Additionally, in the unlocking position, thetransfer arm 120 limits the positions of the second wedge surfaces 138 aand 138 b relative to the first wedge surfaces 136 a and 136 b so as toprevent the driver 140 from causing expansion of the expandable member137.

Reference is made to FIGS. 11a and 11b , in which another embodiment ofa locking mechanism is shown at 156. The locking mechanism 156 issimilar to the locking mechanism 135, and has an expandable member 157,a base 158 that includes an extension member 158 a and a main portion158 b, and a driver 159 that includes a wedge member 159 a and atransfer arm 159 b that pivotally connects to the connecting arm 120 ofthe quick release mechanism 90. The main portion 158 b of the base 158is shown simply as a rectangle, for convenience. Additionally, a portionof the handle 122 is omitted from FIGS. 11a and 11b , for convenience.All of the components of the aforementioned components of the lockingmechanism 135 may be similar to the analogous elements of the lockingmechanism 135 in FIGS. 10a and 10b , but with differences as describedbelow.

A difference with the locking mechanism 156 from the locking mechanism135 is that the first wedge surfaces (shown at 160 a and 160 b)generally face away from each other, instead of facing each other as thefirst wedge surfaces 136 a and 136 b do in the embodiment shown in FIGS.10a and 10b , and the second wedge surfaces (shown at 161 a and 161 b)face each other instead of facing away from each other as they do in theembodiment shown FIGS. 10a and 10b . Also, in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 11a and 11b , the driver biasing member, shown at 162, ispositioned between a foot member 164 on the transfer arm 159 b from thedriver 159 and the extension member 158 a of the base 158.

As shown in FIG. 9b , the handle 122 may extend through a lockingmechanism engagement control slot 170 in one of the first and secondtubes 96 and 98 so as to be accessible by a user of the bicycle 10 fromoutside of the tubes 96 and 98. The slot 170 has a first end 172 and asecond end 174. Movement of the handle 122 to the first end 172withdraws the locking mechanism 80 substantially entirely out of theother of the first and second tubes 96 and 98. In the example shown, itwithdraws the locking mechanism 80 substantially entirely out of thefirst tube 96 (and substantially entirely into the second tube 98, asshown in FIG. 9a ). Movement of the handle 122 to the second end 174 ofthe slot 170 drives the locking mechanism 80 to a position in which thelocking mechanism 80 is partially positioned in both the first andsecond tubes 96 and 98 (FIG. 9b ), so as to permit expansion of thelocking mechanism 80 so as to lock the first and second tubes 96 and 98together.

As shown in FIGS. 1f and 9b , a guide member shown at 175 may beprovided on the end of the second tube 98, which engages the first tube96 when the front wheel support 12 c reaches the use position to ensurethat the first and second tubes 96 and 98 are in good alignment with oneanother, thereby facilitating bringing the locking mechanism upwardsinto the first tube 96.

As shown in FIG. 8a , the expanding member 84 may have an outer surface176 that includes a plurality of projections (some of which are shown at178) and valleys 180 between the projections 178. The projections 178act as force concentrators which assist in biting into the innersurfaces 92 and 94 of the first and second tubes 96 and 98. In apreferred embodiment, the projections 178 extend generally onlycircumferentially about the outer surface 176 so as to provide strongresistance to axial movement (movement along the axis AL). However, theprojections 178 could extend in other directions, e.g. they could extendhelically, or even axially. Alternatively, the expandable member 84could have any other type of outer surface 176, such as, for example, anouter surface that has no projections thereon.

In an embodiment, shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b , the expandable member ofthe locking mechanism may have a first circumferentially extendingrecess 180 thereon. In FIGS. 12a and 12b the locking mechanism is theexample that is shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b (i.e. locking mechanism 135)however, any of the other locking mechanisms 80 or 156 could have theaforementioned recess. One of the first and second tubes 96 and 98 mayhave a first circumferentially extending projection 182 thereon that ismatable with the recess 180. The first projection 182 is withdrawn fromthe first recess 180 when the expandable member 135 is unexpanded, asshown in FIG. 12b , so as to permit the locking mechanism 135 to bewithdrawn from the first tube 96, thereby permitting the folding of theframe portion 12 c. Referring to FIG. 12a , when the expandable member135 is expanded the first recess 180 receives the first projection 182to lock the expandable member 135 in place axially (relative to axis AL)so as to retain the expandable member 135 in engagement with both thefirst and second tubes 96 and 98. In the embodiment shown, the firstprojection 182 is shown on the first tube 96, however, it couldalternatively be on the second tube 98, with the recess 180 positionedaccordingly. As shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b , the expandable member 135may optionally have a second circumferentially extending recess 184 andthe other of the first and second tubes 96 and 98 (in this case tube 98)has a second circumferentially extending projection 186. The first andsecond recesses 180 and 184 receive the first and second projections 182and 186 to retain the expandable member 135 in engagement with both thefirst and second tubes when the expandable member is expanded. The firstand second projections 182 and 186 are withdrawn from the first andsecond recesses 180 and 184 when the expandable member 135 isunexpanded.

The locking mechanism is shown in use between a first frame portion(i.e. frame portion 12 a) and a second frame portion (i.e. frame portion12 c). However, as shown in FIG. 13, the locking mechanism canalternatively or additionally be used to connect other pairs of frameportions, such as, for example, the main frame portion 12 a and thehandlebar frame portion 12 d (in which case, the first frame portionwould again be portion 12 a and the second frame portion would be thehandlebar frame portion 12 d). In this case, the first and second tubesare shown at 188 and 190, and are connected by a hinge 192. In thisexample, the handlebar frame portion 12 d is movably connected to thesteering tube 28 (via the hinge 192) for movement between a use positionin which the handlebar 13 is holdable by a rider of the folding bicycle10 for steering the front wheel 16 and a folded position (shown in FIG.13) to reduce the height and width of at least a portion of the foldingbicycle 10.

Instead of providing a quick release mechanism for the lockingmechanisms 80, 135 and 156, another means for locking and unlocking thelocking mechanism may be provided, such as, for example, a threaded rodthat is fixed to the wedge member and a nut that is fixedly connected tothe base member. Rotation of a hand knob or the like can cause rotationof the rod, which would drive the rod and the attached wedge memberaxially, thereby controlling locking and unlocking of the lockingmechanism.

As an alternative to the locking mechanisms 80, 135, 156, shown in FIGS.8a -13, a locking mechanism 194 may be provided, as shown in FIGS. 14aand 14b . The locking mechanism 194 includes an over-center latch 196that includes an inner surface 197 that has first and second mutuallyfacing bevel surfaces 198 and 199. First and second tubes shown at 200and 201 which are part of first and second frame portions (in this caseframe portions 12 a and 12 c), may have first and second flanges 202 and204 thereon. The flanges 202 and 204 have bevel surfaces 206 and 208that face away from one another. The over-center latch 196 is shown offthe tubes 200 and 201 in FIG. 14a however in practice it would remainaround one of the tubes when not in use. When the first and second tubes200 and 201 abut one another, the over-center latch 196 can be slid(upwards or downwards, as the case may be) over the two flanges 202 and204 and can be latched, as shown in FIG. 14b ), thereby driving clampingengagement of the bevel surfaces 198 and 199 with the bevel surfaces 206and 208.

It will thus be understood that the locking mechanism may be anysuitable type of locking mechanism, and is not intended to be limited tothe particular examples shown and described.

With reference to FIG. 15, it will be noted that the first and secondtubes in which the locking mechanism is positioned need not becylindrical. For example, the tubes shown at 210 and 212 are generallysquare in cross-section. The locking mechanism itself may also besquare, as shown in FIG. 16, at 214. In such an embodiment, the wedgesurfaces that engage one another to cause expansion of the expansionmember (shown at 216) would be pyramid-shaped instead of conical.

Referring to FIGS. 1a-1i , to fold the folding bicycle 10 from the useposition shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b , one can unlock the locking mechanism80, 135, 156 that holds the front wheel support 12 c in the useposition, and fold the front wheel support 12 c (counterclockwise fromthe view shown in FIG. 1a ) to the folded position shown in FIG. 1cwhere the front wheel support 12 c and consequently the front wheel 16are positioned on the second side 27 of the first frame portion 12 a.One can unlock the rear frame portion 12 b by lifting the hook member 58to the release position (FIG. 6) and by pivoting the rear frame portion12 b (clockwise in the view shown in FIG. 1c ) to the folded positionshown in FIG. 1d where the rear frame portion 12 b and consequently therear wheel 14 are positioned on the first side 25 of the first frameportion 12 a. With the rear frame portion 12 b in the folded position,the handlebar portion 12 d of the frame 12 can be unlocked and can befolded over to the folded position, as shown in FIG. 1 e.

It will be noted that, when the second frame portion 12 b is in thefolded position, it would be beneficial to provide a way of holding itin the folded position. A rear frame portion folded position holdingmember for this purpose is shown at 222 in FIGS. 17 and 18. The holdingmember 222 may be a hook that is mounted to the handlebar support 11.When the handlebar portion 12 d is folded over, as shown in FIG. 18, theholding member 222 winds up being positioned underneath the rim of thewheel 14, so that it hooks the rim and prevents the wheel 14 and therear frame portion 12 b from pivoting back towards the use position.Optionally, the holding member 222 may be connected to the handlebarsupport 11 via a slotted aperture and a threaded fastener, as shown at224 and 226 respectively to permit some adjustability in the position ofthe holding member 222 to suit the user's preference.

The seat 18 may be lowered into the seat tube 22 to reduce the height ofthe associated region of the folding bicycle 10, as shown in FIG. 1f .FIG. 1g shows the same position of the folding bicycle 10 as FIG. 1f(i.e. the folded position. To open the folding bicycle 10 to the useposition from the folded position, one can unfold the front wheelsupport 12 c (by pivoting it clockwise in the view shown in FIG. 1g ),to the use position shown in FIG. 1h . Once in position, the lockingmechanism 80, 135, 156 (or the locking mechanism 194) can be locked. Theholding member 222 can be unhooked from the rear wheel 14 and the rearframe portion 12 b can be pivoted back to the use position shown in FIG.1i and be locked in place by the hook member 58. The handlebar portion12 d can be pivoted up into its use position and locked in place via itslocking mechanism and the seat 18 can be raised to its use position,such that the folding bicycle 10 is in the use position shown in FIGS.1a and 1b . it will be noted that some steps described above can takeplace in a different order than that described above. For example,during unfolding of the bike 10, the handlebar portion 12 d can beraised and locked in its use position before the rear wheel 14 is swungout to its use position.

As shown in FIGS. 1g and 7c , when the folding bicycle 10 is in thefolded position (more specifically, when the second and third frameportions are in the folded positions), the front and rear wheel axles 72and 76 are aligned with one another and are substantially in abutmentwith one another. As a result, in the event that the folding bicycle 10receives a lateral force against one or both of the wheels 14 and 16,the abutment of the axles 72 and 76 assists in resisting the force andin inhibiting bending stresses on the front wheel support 12 c and/orthe rear frame portion 12 b as the case may be.

In the above-described embodiments, the front wheel support is shown anddescribed as pivoting between a use position and a folded position. Itwill be understood, however, that the front wheel support may movebetween a use position and a folded position in any suitable way. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 19, the front wheel support 12 c may bemovable between a use position and a storage position by being removablefrom the rest of the bicycle 10 (e.g. from the main frame portion 12 a)when in one of the use and storage positions, and being reconnectable tothe rest of the bicycle 10 in the other of the use and storagepositions. In FIG. 19, the front wheel support 12 c is shown in the useposition. The front wheel support 12 c is shown in the storage positionin FIG. 23. In the use position, an alignment pin 300 extends through afirst aperture 302 on a portion of the frame 12 aside from the frontwheel support 12 c (e.g. on a wall 304 of the main frame portion 12 a asshown in FIG. 20) and through a second aperture 306 on the front wheelsupport 12 c. To assist in aligning the front wheel 16 when it is in theuse position, the free end (shown at 308 in FIG. 19) of the front wheelsupport 12 c may be configured with a non-circular cross-sectionalshape, such as a square cross-sectional shape, and the front wheelsupport receiving aperture shown at 310 on the main frame portion 12 amay have a corresponding hollow non-circular (e.g. hollow-square)cross-sectional shape. The alignment pin 300 may be retained in place inthe apertures 302 and 306 by any suitable means. For example, thealignment pin 300 may include one or more balls (not shown) along itsshaft (shown at 311) and may include a spring-loaded plunger to lock theballs outwardly or to permit the balls to retract radially (for removalor insertion of the pin 300).

While there may be a snug fit of the free end 308 of the front wheelsupport 12 c in the aperture 310, there may still remain some playbetween the two. With reference to FIG. 21, to firmly hold the free end308 (and therefore the front wheel support 12 c in place one or more (inthis example, two) cam-lock members 312 are provided, each of whichincludes a cam-lock lever 312 a and a connector rod 312 b that passesbetween two spaced apart flanges shown at 314 and 316 of a clamp member317. The clamp member 317 surrounds an inner tube 318 that defines theaperture 310. The inner tube 318 has a slot 319 that permits deformation(resilient collapse) of the inner tube 318 against the free end 308 ofthe front wheel support 12 c when the cam-lock levers 312 are moved totheir clamping position (FIG. 19), which draws the flanges 314 and 316towards one another. The cam-lock clamps 312 may be similar toquick-release clamps on a front and rear wheel of a typical bicycletoday. The cam-lock clamps are movable between a clamping position (FIG.19) and a release position (FIGS. 20-22). The inner tube 318 in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 19-23 forms part of the main frame portion 12a.

The front wheel support 12 c is shown removed from the main frameportion 12 a in FIG. 22. The front wheel support 12 c is shown insertedinto a storage position receiving aperture 320 on a remaining portion ofthe frame 12 (e.g. on the main frame portion 12 a). The aperture 320 maybe provided in a storage position receiving tube 322. A storage positionlocking pin 324 may pass through an aperture in the tube 322 and throughthe second aperture 306 in the front wheel support 12 c to lock thefront wheel support 12 c in place in the storage position.

As shown in FIG. 24, it is optionally possible to provide a first axialpassageway in the shaft 402 front wheel 16 that is alignable with asecond axial passageway in the shaft 404 of the rear wheel 14, such thata ball-plunger pin 406 can pass-through the passageways 401 and 403 tolock the front and rear wheels 16 and 14 in alignment with one anotherwhen the bicycle 10 is in the storage position. This facilitates rollingthe bicycle 10 along the ground when it is in the storage position.

The locking mechanisms shown for use in locking the portions of thebicycle 10 together could instead be another other suitable type oflocking mechanism, such as the locking mechanism shown in U.S. Pat. No.4,507,034, the contents of which are incorporated herein in theirentirety by reference.

Reference is made to FIGS. 25-30, which show an alternative embodimentof a compactable bicycle at 500. The compactable bicycle 500 includes abase frame portion 502, which may be similar to the base frame portionin FIG. 1a , and a steering structure 504 which may be similar to thesteering structure shown in FIG. 1a . Differences between the base frameportion 502 and the steering structure 504 and their counterparts inFIG. 1a are described below. Shown in FIG. 25, are a head tube 506 andtwo connecting tubes 508 from the base frame portion. The rear wheel isalso shown at 510. A steering member 512, a front wheel support 514 anda handlebar frame portion 516 (also referred to simply as a handlebar,for convenience) are included in the steering structure in FIG. 25. Thesteering member 512 is shown in the present example as being a steeringtube, and thus may be referred to for convenience as a steering tube512. However, it will be understood that the steering member need not behollow and therefore need not be a tube.

The steering tube 512 is rotatably mounted in the head tube 506.Referring to FIG. 26, the steering tube 512 includes a first steeringtube portion 512 a and a second steering tube portion 512 b that areremovably connectable together. The first steering tube portion 512 ahas the handlebar 516 (Figure connected thereto and the second steeringtube portion 512 b has the front wheel support 514 connected thereto,which supports the front wheel shown at 515.

The head tube 506 includes a first head tube portion 506 a that holdsthe first steering tube portion 512 a, and a second head tube portion506 b that holds the second steering tube portion 512 b. The first headtube portion 506 a is movable relative to the second head tube portion506 b between a head tube use position (FIGS. 25 and 26), in which thefirst head tube portion 506 a holds the first steering tube portion 512a in a steering tube use position in which the first steering tubeportion 512 a is superjacent to and connectable to the second steeringtube portion 512 b, and a head tube stowage position (FIGS. 29 and 30)in which the first head tube portion 506 a holds the first steering tubeportion 512 a in a steering tube stowage position spaced away from thesecond steering tube portion 512 b. FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate anintermediate position for the first head tube portion 506 a duringtravel between the head tube use and stowage positions.

The first and second head tube portions 506 a and 506 b may be pivotallyconnected together. For example, the first and second head tube portions506 a and 506 b may be connected together by way of a pin connectionshown at 520.

A rotational coupling mechanism 522 is provided to rotationally fix thefirst and second steering tube portions 512 a and 512 b together. Therotational coupling mechanism 522 may have any suitable structure. Forexample, the rotational coupling mechanism 522 may include a slider 524that is slidable between a slider stowage position (FIGS. 29 and 30) inwhich the slider 524 is positioned in the first steering tube portion512 a and outside of the second steering tube portion 512 b, and aslider use position (FIGS. 25 and 26) in which the slider 524 ispositioned in both the first and second steering tube portions 512 a andis fixed rotationally to both the first and second steering tubeportions 512 a and 512 b.

In order to rotationally fix the slider 524 to the first and secondsteering tube portions 512 a and 512 b, the slider 524 may include afirst projection 526 that fits in a first slot 528 on the first steeringtube portion 512 a, and a second projection 530 may be provided on thesecond steering tube portion 512 b that fits in a second slot 532 on theslider 524. The first and second slots 528 and 532 may extend generallyparallel to the axis of rotation. When the slider 524 is in the sliderstowage position (FIGS. 27-30), the first projection 526 engages thefirst slot 528, while the second projection 530 is outside of the secondslot 532. When the slider 524 is in the slider use position (FIGS.25-26), the first projection 526 engages the first slot 528, and thesecond projection 530 engages the second slot 532.

When the user desires to fold the bicycle 500, the user can slide theslider 524 up into the first steering tube portion 512 a therebypermitting the user to lift the first steering tube portion 512 a off ofthe second steering tube portion 512 b, and to pivot the first head tubeportion 506 a over and down such that the first steering tube portion512 a sits generally alongside the second steering tube portion 512 b.If needed, the handlebar 516 may be rotated as appropriate to bring thehandlebar into good proximity with the other elements of the bicycle500. The other portions of the bicycle 500 that can be moved to stowagepositions may also be moved as appropriate.

In order to put the bicycle 500 into a use position, the user can pivotthe first head tube portion 506 a up and over so as to bring steeringtube portion 512 a superjacent to the second steering tube portion 512b. The handlebar 516 can be rotated in order to bring the secondprojection in alignment with the second steering tube portion slot 532,at which point the slider 524 can be lowered sufficiently to bring thesecond projection 530 and the second slot 532 into engagement, therebyrendering the first and second steering tube portions 512 a and 512 bconnected rotationally. When the first and second projections 526 and530 are in the first and second slots 528 and 532, the steering tubeshave a selected angular alignment with respect to one another, such thatthe handlebar 516 may be generally parallel to the axis of rotation ofthe front wheel as is typical of handlebars on bicycles. The otherportions of the bicycle 500 that can be moved to use positions may alsobe moved as appropriate.

A steering tube extension is shown at 540 (also, more broadly referredto as a steering member extension) and connects the steering tube 512 tothe front wheel support 514. The steering tube extension 540 includesfirst and second extension arms 542 that extend from the top and bottomof the second steering tube portion 512 b respectively, and an offsettube 544 that connects the free ends of the first and second extensionarms 542. The front wheel support 514 may be pivotally andtranslationally connected to the steering tube extension 540 by means ofa connection that is similar to the connection 32 between the frontwheel support 12 c and the frame portion 12 a in FIG. 1 a.

By permitting the head tube 506 to be divided into first and secondportions 506 a and 506 b, the height of the front end of the bicycle 500may be lower in the folded position, than it would be if the head tube506 were not divided into first and second portions.

Furthermore, by disconnecting the first and second portions 512 a and512 b of the steering member 512, the first steering member 512 a can beput into its stowage position prior to folding of the front wheel 515,because the front wheel 515 can be turned as needed in order to befolded to its stowage (i.e. folded) position. By contrast, with somefolding bicycles, it is important to keep the handlebar in the useposition until the front wheel is folded. Then after folding of thefront wheel, the handlebar can be moved to its stowage position. This isbecause, in such prior art bicycles, the handlebar remains rotationallyconnected to the front wheel whether the handlebar is folded or not. Asa result, if the handlebar is already in its stowage position and thenthe front wheel is turned as needed for folding, the handlebar mayinadvertently be caused to collide with the rear wheel causing damage,or the rear wheel may obstruct the necessary movement of the handlebarto accommodate the turning of the front wheel. Furthermore, thehandlebar and the hinge connecting the two portions of the steering tubein some prior art bicycles are at risk of damage during any lateralcrushing forces on the bicycle. However, because the handlebar 516 inthe present embodiment is not rotationally connected to the secondsteering tube portion 512, this risk is significantly reduced.

As described above, the steering member portions 512 a and 512 b aretubular and have the slider 524 therein. However, it will be understoodthat any other suitable rotational coupling mechanism may be provided,such as, for example, teeth provided on the mutually engaging ends ofthe first and second steering member portions 512 a and 512 b, that meshtogether when the member portions are engaged with one another. In suchan alternative, the steering member portions 512 a and 512 b need not betubular.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compactable bicycle, comprising: a baseframe portion, wherein the base frame portion includes a seat tube and ahead tube, at least one connecting tube that connects the seat tube andthe head tube and a rear frame portion which has a rear wheel mountedthereto for engagement with a ground surface for supporting thecompactable bicycle thereon; and a steering structure, including asteering member rotatably mounted in the head tube, a handlebar, and afront wheel support having a front wheel connected thereto forengagement with the ground surface for supporting the compactablebicycle thereon, wherein the steering member includes a first steeringmember portion and a second steering member portion that are removablyconnectable together, wherein the first steering member portion has thehandlebar connected thereto and the second steering member portion hasthe front wheel support connected thereto, wherein the head tubeincludes a first head tube portion that holds the first steering memberportion, and a second head tube portion that holds the second steeringmember portion, wherein the first head tube portion is movable relativeto the second head tube portion between a head tube use position inwhich the first head tube portion holds the first steering memberportion in a steering member use position in which the first steeringmember portion is superjacent to and connectable to the second steeringmember portion, and a head tube stowage position in which the first headtube portion holds the first steering member portion in a steeringmember stowage position spaced away from the second steering memberportion.
 2. A compactable bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein, whenthe bicycle is standing upright and the head tube is in the head tubestowage position, a highest point on the second head tube portion, isnot higher than a highest point on the first head tube portion.
 3. Acompactable bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and secondhead tube portions are pivotably connected together.
 4. A compactablebicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second steeringmember portions are tubular and when the first steering member portionis in the use position the first steering member portion is connectableto the second steering member portion by a rotational couplingmechanism.
 5. A compactable bicycle as claimed in claim 4, wherein therotational coupling mechanism includes a slider that is slidable withinthe first and second steering member portions.
 6. A compactable bicycleas claimed in claim 5, wherein the slider is slidable within a firststeering member portion slot in the first steering member portion andwithin a second steering member portion slot in the second steeringmember portion such that, when the first and second steering memberportion slots are both engaged by the slider, the first and secondsteering members have a selected angular alignment with respect to oneanother.
 7. A compactable bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefront wheel support has a front wheel support connecting end axis and afirst end face that extends in a first end face plane that is generallynormal to the front wheel support connecting end axis, and the steeringmember has a steering member connecting end axis and a second end facethat extends in a second end face plane that is generally normal to thesteering member connecting end axis, wherein the front wheel support ismovable between a use position in which the front wheel supportconnecting end axis is aligned with the steering member connecting endaxis, in which the first and second end faces abut one another, and inwhich the front wheel is engageable with a ground surface for supportingthe compactable bicycle thereon, and a folded position in which thefront wheel support connecting end axis is unaligned with the steeringmember connecting end axis, in which the first and second end faces arespaced from one another.